From Monday 25th March 2013, the four police forces of Yorkshire and the Humber will join the rest of the UK’s police forces in launching Action Fraud; the central point of contact for reporting fraud and financially motivated internet crime.
Action Fraud is being launched nationally on 1st April 2013, but from the 25th March members of the public from across Yorkshire and the Humber will be encouraged to report fraud and internet scams directly to Action Fraud via www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
The four forces have been working together to ensure that the new reporting system is adopted consistently across the region and, in doing so, remain committed to tackling fraud, scams and con-artists at a local and regional level.
Action Fraud, run by the National Fraud Authority, will be the main agency for people to contact if they are a victim of a scam or fraud offence both in terms of making reports and accessing support and prevention advice. Reports taken will be used to formulate a national picture as well as being passed on to forces for further investigation.
Speaking of the initiative, Detective Superintendent Steve Waite, Head of Intelligence for Regional Operations said:
Action Fraud will enable a better sharing of information about the nature and extent of fraud across the region and beyond which will assist all law-enforcement partners in tackling the various different types of fraud affecting our local communities and businesses.
Here in Yorkshire and the Humber the Economic Crime Units within the four forces have been working together as well as with the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau to ensure we’re ready to go live with Action Fraud on the 25th March.
People will still be able to report fraud to their local force, who will take action if a possible fraudster is at their door for example. In non-urgent situations however, they will be encouraged to contact Action Fraud as the most appropriate agency.
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Detective Inspector Ian Wills, Head of the North Yorkshire Police Economic Crime Unit, said:
One of the downsides of the internet is that it has presented fraudsters with new opportunities to commit fraud. As the nature of fraud changes it is logical that reports of fraud are now collected nationally, through a central point, where they can be examined as a whole and not in isolation.
The Action Fraud initiative will allow law enforcement agencies to target their resources more effectively to tackle fraud. North Yorkshire Police welcomes the launch of Action Fraud in the region as an important new tool in the fight against fraud.
